Cnn
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The LSU star, Angel Reese, defended the gesture she was aiming for Caitlin Clark of Iowa Hawkeyes towards the end of the first victory of the national female basketball championship of Tigers on Sunday, saying: “I do not take on a slight respect.”
Reese could be seen Approaching Clark before moving his open hand in front of his face – popularized by the WWE star, John Cena, to signify “You cannot see me” – before pointing out of his ring finger in a gesture, some interpreted as a reference to the place where his newly acquired championship ring could make sure.
Clark made a similar gesture to another player earlier in the tournament.
The gesture has aroused many debates, especially on social networks. Some criticized Reese, while others defended his actions, stressing how there was no public indignation in response to Clark’s gesture earlier in the tournament.
Sports journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz called Reese’s actions as a “class”, while the former animator of ESPN Keith Olbermann described Reese as “idiot” for the gesture.
During the press conference after the victory, Reese referred to the difference in reaction which she received following her gesture compared to that that Clark received.
“All year round, I was criticized for whom I was. I do not correspond to the story,” said Reese. “I don’t go into the box in which you all want me to be.
“So it’s for girls who look like me. For those who want to speak for what they believe. It’s shamelessly you. And that’s what I did for tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. And Twitter will rage every time.
“And I’m happy. I feel like I have helped cultivate women’s basketball this year. (…) I can’t wait to celebrate and then next season. ”
Reese collected 15 points and 10 rebounds in the 102-85 victory and won the most exceptional prize for Women’s March Madness players.
In the post-match broadcast, Reese referred to the similar gesture that Clark made to an opponent from Louisville in the elite eight.
In the same game, Clark told an opponent: “You are down 15 points. Shut up, ”according to the Bleacher report.
“Caitlin Clark is a player’s hell but I do not have a slight respect,” said Reese. “She lacked respect (LSU) Alexis (Morris) (…) and I wanted to choose her pocket. But I had a moment at the end of her game. I was in my bag, I was in my moment.”
After the championship match, Clark herself said that she had not noticed anything at the time.
“I was just trying to go to the handshake line and shake hands and be grateful that my team is in this position,” said Clark at the post-match press conference. “All the world’s credit in LSU. They were great. They deserve it. They had a great season.
“(The LSU head coach) Kim Mulkey trained them so much. It is one of the best basketball coaches of all time, and it shows. She only told me really nice things in the handshake line, so I’m very grateful for that too.
“But honestly, I have no idea. I was just trying to pass the last moments on the field with especially the five people with whom I started 93 games and savor every second.”
LSU head coach Mulkey said that she had “no idea” of what happened.
In Pictures: LSU wins the national title in women’s basketball
Among those who defend Reese on social networks were Holly Rowe d’Espn and the former NBA Etan Thomas star.
“People hate Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark. Stop. wrote On Twitter.
The old Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks Thomas player Thomas wrote: “Wait now !!!! it was cute when Caitlin Clark did it. You haven’t had a problem at all.
Reese said that the negative reaction on social networks throughout the season contributed to fueling His Excellent season, after finishing on average 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds in his first season with LSU after the transfer of Maryland.
“Twitter can say what they want to say,” she said. “I love to read these comments. I have all the screenshots of what everyone has said about me all season. What are you going to say now? ”
